HOUSTON, TX - There’s nothing wrong with a little retail brick-and-mortar expansion, am I right? Gordon Food Service, the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company, must have restaurant owners and operators at the edge of their seats as it opens another location in Southeast Houston, Texas.

The market, which is primarily designed for restaurant owners and foodservice customers, opens under the new name Gordon Restaurant Market, renamed from Gordon Food Service Stores. This new name was integrated into the concept to make it clearer for restaurant owners/operators to visit these stores for their specific needs. This new location also features 15,000 square feet of sales floor as part of its 28,000 square feet total space.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Gordon Restaurant Market serves local restaurant and food operations, but will also be opened to the public. The new location opened its doors on June 18.

Shoppers can expect to see packaged and fresh produce, meats by the price/pound/case, rotisserie and fried chicken, and more. Pantry staples and gourmet popcorn will also be on shelves.

There are eight other locations in the Houston area, so if you're a local restaurateur, be sure to check out the new space!

For even more specialty market store openings, don’t forget to check back with ANUK.

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA - It was just last week that we reported on two upcoming Trader Joe’s store openings in Michigan and California. The retailer is continuing to show new cards as it now has plans for another store in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

“We are proud to be joining the neighborhood, and to continue our commitment to providing nourishment to the surrounding communities through our Neighborhood Shares program,” the retailer said in its announcement.

While further details have yet to be shared, Trader Joe’s did note that it is working toward a 2024 opening date for this new store. Click here to check out the retailer’s page for new store openings.

Will the expansion streak continue? Keep reading ANUK to find out.

TEXAS - For the first time since 2015, this Texan grocer is cutting the ribbon on a new store. Fiesta Mart, a Latino-American supermarket chain based in Houston, Texas, will open a new store in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro.

"Fiesta Mart is known for its unsurpassed commitment to freshness and variety, selection of international products, and excellent customer service," said Richard Gonzales, Senior Regional Director. "We’ve strategically positioned this new store in one of the metroplex’s most exciting communities that continues to see record growth and expansion, and we’re excited to offer our one-of-a-kind shopping experience to Lewisville and the surrounding area."

The 49,000-square-foot store will house the usual grocery necessities such as fresh produce, meat, and seafood, and an in-house bakery, tortilleria, and restaurant.

According to a report from the Beaumont Enterprise, Fiesta Mart is also announcing plans for a multi-year remodel for all Fiesta Mart locations across Texas. This multi-year remodel is due to conclude by 2025.

With the newest store, Fiesta Mart’s total store count comes to 60 in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston markets.

AndNowUKnow will deliver the latest in retail updates, so stick around.

PITTSBURGH, PA - New table grape varieties are upon us! Sun World International adds APPLAUSE™ and EPIC CRISP® to its family of table grape brands. This launch is part of Sun World’s branding strategy, which includes marketing brands that bring together multiple varietals with similar attributes.

“In the current marketplace, consumers aren’t loyal to a specific brand of grapes; only green, red, and black. That’s why we believe in driving awareness of grape brand attributes at the shelf,” said Dané Joubert, Senior Marketing Manager. “Flavored varieties are a niche space in the marketplace. Having multiple unique varietals under one brand, with unique attribute callouts, allows the consumer to recognize the brand versus having different brands for each unique variety. It also simplifies the packaging complexities for growers packing various varieties under one brand.”

Each variety brings something unique to the market.

According to a press release, the Sugrafiftyfour variety, marketed under the APPLAUSE™ brand, is a mid-season green seedless variety that brings an unexpected twist with its sweet, tropical fruity flavor, making consumers’ grape-eating experience anything but ordinary. APPLAUSE™ offers a unique series of limited-edition red, green, and black seedless grapes with different shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors.

The release went on to note the attributes of the Sugrafiftysix variety which is marketed under the EPIC CRISP® brand. It is a green seedless variety available during the mid-season that offers consumers a serious crunch with every bite.

Supplies of APPLAUSE™ and EPIC CRISP® will be limited as production ramps up globally in the next five years. With retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Aldi already carrying these varieties, it’s safe to say the demand is about to get big.

Keep reading us here at ANUK for the latest in fresh updates.

SALINAS, CA - Taylor Farms continues to give back to the community with its latest initiative. As part of its annual scholarship program, the supplier has awarded more than $600,000 to this year’s recipients. With a new format, including an employee scholarship, the program is now divided into three categories: The Extraordinary Scholarship, the Innovative Scholarship, and the Employee Scholarship.

“We are honored to continue to support our team members and their families in their educational journeys,” said Bruce Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “By investing in education and the academic aspirations of our communities, we are building the foundation for continuous opportunity. Congratulations to this year’s winners.”

A total of 37 new scholarships were awarded this year, according to a press release:

• The Extraordinary Scholarship is designed for students attending a four-year university. Twenty-five outstanding individuals were awarded in this category
• The Innovative Scholarship is designed for junior college and trade school students. Seven outstanding students were awarded in this category
• The Employee Scholarship is designed to support current Taylor Farms team members in continuing their educational development. Five outstanding team members were awarded in this category

Since 2008, Taylor Farms has awarded $4.1 million in scholarship funds to 281 outstanding students pursuing a higher education. The company places great value on education and the pursuit of knowledge, as well as providing financial support for the families of its team members.

Taylor Farms partners with the Community Foundation for Monterey County to facilitate the application process and award distribution. The scholarships are tailored to support recipients throughout their academic careers, where recipients receive an upfront check and a renewal opportunity for each year they remain in an undergraduate or graduate program.

Taylor Farms also awarded 73 renewal scholarships for students between 2021 and 2023. These academic scholarship winners are children of active, full-time Taylor Farms employees.

“This is one of my favorite days of the year,” said Rachel Molatore, Director of Communications. “We are thrilled to host several of our team members and their families every year to celebrate this important achievement and expand this valuable program in our community.”

Congratulations to the recipients!